Quick Answer
The answer is a denied SSH connection attempt. This is correct because the syslog message shows a failed login on localport 22, which is the default port for SSH, and the failure indicates the connection was denied rather than established. In firewall log analysis, port numbers are the key differentiators: port 22 always points to SSH, while port 23 would indicate Telnet. On the Cisco CyberOps Associate 200-201 exam, this type of question tests your ability to interpret syslog messages and map them to specific denied connections, a core skill for security monitoring. A common trap is confusing failed SSH logins with Telnet attempts, so always check the port number first. Memory tip: “22 is SSH, 23 is Telnet—if login fails on 22, it’s SSH denied.”
This 200-201 practice question tests your understanding of network intrusion analysis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list inbound denied tcp 192.0.2.10(12345) -> 10.0.1.1(22), 1 packet
Refer to the exhibit. What does this syslog message indicate?
%SEC-6-IPACCESSLOGP: list inbound denied tcp 192.0.2.10(12345) -> 10.0.1.1(22), 1 packet
Failed telnet attempt
Why wrong: Telnet uses port 23, not 22.
Denied SSH connection attempt
The destination port 22 (SSH) was denied.
Successful SSH connection
Why wrong: The log says 'denied', not successful.
Allowed TCP traffic
Why wrong: The log explicitly states 'denied'.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Denied SSH connection attempt
The syslog message '%SEC_LOGIN-4-LOGIN_FAILED: Login failed [user: admin] [Source: 10.1.1.1] [localport: 22]' indicates a failed login attempt on port 22, which is the default port for SSH. Since the message explicitly shows 'localport: 22' and the login failed, it corresponds to a denied SSH connection attempt, not a successful one or a Telnet attempt (which uses port 23).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Failed telnet attempt
Why it's wrong here
Telnet uses port 23, not 22.
Denied SSH connection attempt
Why this is correct
The destination port 22 (SSH) was denied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Successful SSH connection
Why it's wrong here
The log says 'denied', not successful.
Allowed TCP traffic
Why it's wrong here
The log explicitly states 'denied'.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the 'Login failed' message with a generic 'denied' message, but Cisco specifically tests the ability to identify the protocol by the port number (22 for SSH vs. 23 for Telnet) in the syslog output.
Detailed technical explanation
Cisco IOS generates %SEC_LOGIN-4-LOGIN_FAILED messages when authentication fails on a VTY line, regardless of the transport protocol (SSH or Telnet). The 'localport' field in the syslog message identifies the listening port; port 22 is SSH, port 23 is Telnet. In real-world scenarios, attackers often brute-force SSH credentials, and this syslog helps distinguish between failed authentication attempts (indicating potential attacks) and successful logins, which would generate %SEC_LOGIN-5-LOGIN_SUCCESS messages.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Network Intrusion Analysis — This question tests Network Intrusion Analysis — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Denied SSH connection attempt — The syslog message '%SEC_LOGIN-4-LOGIN_FAILED: Login failed [user: admin] [Source: 10.1.1.1] [localport: 22]' indicates a failed login attempt on port 22, which is the default port for SSH. Since the message explicitly shows 'localport: 22' and the login failed, it corresponds to a denied SSH connection attempt, not a successful one or a Telnet attempt (which uses port 23).
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. What does this firewall log entry indicate?
mediumWhy C: The firewall log entry shows a packet with source IP 10.0.0.2 (internal) and destination IP 203.0.113.5 (external) on destination port 80 (HTTP). The action is 'DENY' and the direction is 'inbound', meaning the firewall denied an incoming connection attempt from the external host to the internal host. Since the destination port is HTTP, this is an inbound HTTP connection that was denied.
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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